Lithuania is interested in organization of a concession tender for the state-owned Kherson seaport, in which the Klaipeda Stevedoring Company is likely to participate, the Kherson seaport’s acting Director Andrii Sokolov has announced.

Sokolov met with Lithuania’s Ambassador to Ukraine Marius Janukonis on 15 February to discuss this issue.

"Why is it interesting to Lithuania? Because their company KLASCO (Klaipeda Stevedoring Company) is one of the potential participants in a concession competition for the Kherson seaport and they, just like us, are hoping that this competition will be transparent and fair," Sokolov wrote on his Facebook page.

According to him, the Kherson seaport continues to hold talks with interested parties with the aim of providing a "political umbrella" to ensure maximum transparency of the concession tender. "Mr. Janukonis assured me that the Kherson seaport can count on such support," Sokolov wrote.

KLASCO is the largest stevedoring company in the port of Klaipeda, where it handles 12-13 million tons of cargo per year. The company is part of the Achemos Grupe concern. KLASCO operates at five specialized terminals (the general cargo, bulk fertilizers, liquid fertilizers, grain, and Ro-Ro terminals). In addition to cargoes, the company handles ferry passengers at the Ro-Ro terminal. The company also provides vessel towage services.